EC to announce date for parliamentary polls in November

The Elections Commission of Maldives (EC) has revealed that they are working to announce a date for the parliamentary polls for 2024, in November

Vice President of the commission Ismail Habeeb in a post on X, revealed that they were working to publicize the final report on population allocation for parliamentary constituencies for the 2024 polls, in November.

The commission revealed that 65 complaints were received for the provisional report on the population allocation for constituencies, and they will be publicizing a decision on the complaints and thoughts received, by November 5.

Habeeb added that the EC is also in the process of preparing the list of eligible voters for parliamentary constituencies once they are finalized and will be shared.

The EC vice president added that parliamentary polls can be held in late March or early April 2024, according to the provisions of the Parliamentary Election Act.

Habeeb highlighted that it is very likely the elections will coincide with the fasting month of Ramadan.

According to the People’s Majlis, the new parliament which begins in 2024 will have 93 seats. These include two constituencies added to Malé City. From 2024, the capital city will have a total of 17 seats.

One seat each has been added to Baa atoll, Kaafu atoll, Gaaf Alif Atoll and Seenu Atoll as well.

The six seats added for 2024 are Central Hulhumalé constituency, North Hulhumalé constituency, Hithaadhoo constituency (Baa atoll) Hithaadhoo, Maalhos and Dharavandhoo, Huraa constituency (Kaafu atoll) Huraa, Himmafushi and Gulhi, Kolamaafushi constituency (Gaaf Alif atoll) Kolamaafushi and Dhevvadhoo and North Feydhoo constituency (Seenu atoll) Feydhoo and Maradhoo-Feydhoo.

The Elections Commission of Maldives has announced that Eydhafushi, Villingili and Meedhoo constituencies will have only the one island belonging to the constituency, with these changes.

The report also notes that the names of some constituencies have been changed.

As such, Hulhumalé constituency will be known as South Hulhumalé constituency, Guraidhoo constituency will be known as Maafushi constituency, Thaa. Guraidhoo constituency will be known as Guraidhoo constituency and Feydhoo constituency will be known as South Feydhoo constituency.

The elections for the ongoing 19th tenure of Parliament were held on 6 April 2019.

264,442 were eligible to cast their votes in the elections.